Debbie,
I agree with the gentleman who sent the posting on lagging indicators versu
s leading, and would like to add one thought that we've been trying to rein
force here. Inspections are really good at picking up conditions in the wo
rk space (labels, deteriorating containers, housekeeping, etc.). What they
aren't good at unless you push the issue, are evaluating behaviors and a p
erson's understanding of chemical safety. We push the topic of having conv
ersations with people (What are you working with? How are you using it? Wha
t kind of protective equipment are you using? How did you know that that w
as the right kind to use? What are the hazards of the materials you work w
ith? Hazards of intermediates? What's the worst thing that could happen i
n what you are doing? What would you do if it did? What are you doing to
make sure it doesn't happen?) These are the types of questions that will t
ell you whether or not you've gotten into the minds and actions of the peop
le you've trained. It's performance-based.
Kim
Kimberly Begley Jeskie, MPH-OSHM
Operations Manager
Physical Sciences Directorate
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(865) 574-4945
-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of De
bbie M. Decker
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:34 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Measuring chemical safety program effectiveness
Some musings, in advance of my chemical safety committee meeting........
How do I measure if the campus chemical and laboratory safety program is _r
eally_ effective? Lack of exposure incidents? Lack of buildings in low ea
rth orbit ?
I train a lot of people and we don't appear to have too many exposure incid
ents and the chemistry building hasn't been launched into low earth orbit -
is that an "effective program?"
I'm really interested in how ya'll think about this.
Thanks!
Debbie
--------------------
Debbie Decker
EH&S UCDavis
(530)754-7964
FAX (530)752-4527
dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu
Co-Conspirator to Make the World A
Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com and join the conspiracy
Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction
that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,
can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."

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